The Sutherland Sharks edged the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 team in a tight 1-0 win at Wanderers Football Park on Friday night.
The Wanderers have suffered their first defeat of the season despite a determined performance, falling to the Sharks 1-0 after Daniel Wong’s decisive goal in the 14th minute.
A line splitting pass by Dylan Susovic found Wong in space, to which he proceeded to cut in and curl it past Wanderers Goalkeeper Tristan Vidakovic for his second of the season.
The Wanderers responded strongly, dominating the next 20 minutes and producing two shots on target. Nathan Barrie tested the keeper with a long-range effort, while Luka Knezevic came closest to equalizing with a superb free kick from the edge of the box.
Knezevic’s strike was destined for the back of the net, but Sharks goalkeeper and former Wanderer Danijel Nizic made a brilliant save to deny him.
Noah Peacock failed to convert what was arguably the best chance of the game in the 52nd minute, as he found himself one on one with the keeper, only for Nizic to close down the rolling attempt on target.
The save opened an opportunity for Peacock to play it across goal, but he failed to find a team mate at the far post as the chance went begging.
Richard Nkomo then found Alaat Abdul-Rahman with a beautiful in-swinging cross, to which Abdul-Rahman acrobatically beat the keeper with an attempt on his right foot only for Susovic to clear the ball off the line – denying the Wanderers’ striker of the equaliser.
The Wanderers pressed relentlessly in the final 20 minutes, but the Sharks’ defense stood firm, securing three points and bringing an end to the Wanderers’ unbeaten run.
Despite the loss, the Red & Black can take plenty of positives from the match, showing clear growth from their first two games. The Wanderers will aim to sharpen their attacking edge on Saturday when they face a winless Sydney United at Sydney United Sports Ground.
